Saugerties solicits bids for wastewater plant

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. -- The town wasted no time in acting on an approval from the federal Environmental Protection Agency for a project at the Glasco wastewater treatment facility.

During a meeting Wednesday, the Town Board voted 4-0 to solicit bids for additions and alterations to the wastewater treatment facility. Councilman Bruce Leighton was absent.

The town could not solicit bids for the project until it had received approval from the federal agency.

"This morning, by fax, we received approval from the EPA for our water and sewer project to move forward, which is very exciting," town Supervisor Kelly Myers said during the meeting. "So, our engineer typed up the resolution for tonight to move forward ... to procure bids for the project."

The bids are due May 7.

The project will include the replacement of equipment at the wastewater treatment facility, including sludge-dewatering equipment, as well as the replacement of water meters.

The Town Board in early February agreed to borrow $820,000 to fund the project. At the same time, the board agreed to borrow $1.564 million to make improvements and repairs to the Glasco Water District. The town has not yet sought bids for the water project.

Engineer Dennis Larios previously said of the $1.564 million for the water district, $750,200 will be reimbursed through federal grants. He also said $382,360 of the $820,000 cost for the sewer district would also be reimbursed.

The water and sewer projects must be complete before the end of the year in order for the town to take advantage of the grant money through the Environmental Protection Agency, Myers has said.